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What it is and how to make it.
This is one of our very favourite cleansing items. It has a really neat tale behind it too. Depending on where you are from, or tradition you follow, there are several variations to the story. Here is one…
 Long ago, when the great plague was sweeping through the streets of Europe, a group of bandits were stealing from the deceased sufferers in a small Italian town. The town’s leaders decided that it would be best not to hunt for the thieves, as they were surely to have contracted the plague themselves after exposing themselves to its victims. All believed that the robbers would soon be dead and that it would be best not to expose themselves to the pestilence.
Some time had passed but contrary to the prediction the robberies continued. The townspeople became angry and insisted that action be taken and the bandits be caught. A search began to find the robbers and in just a few days a group of four men were captured.
Miraculously the thieves appeared to be in perfect health. They showed no sign of disease at all. Everyone was startled by their apparent resistance to the outbreak and demanded to know how they had managed to escape illness. The thieves were reluctant to disclose their secret but when threatened with their lives their story was revealed.
The thieves had used an elixir that protected them from the deadly epidemic. Each of the thieves was responsible for adding their own ingredient to the brew. And so, the townsfolk were shocked to learn, a blend of four simple herbs in a vinegar base was all had kept them safe while the plague ran rampant in their town.
Making four thieves vinegar
You’ll find loads of recipes for Four Thieves Vinegar with very little searching. The recipes vary greatly and can contain any number of ingredients. Some blends you can safely drink (a teaspoon a day to fight off disease), some are recommended for adding to bath water or as a body cleanser, there are even some that can be used as salad dressing! Just keep in mind that anything that goes onto or into your body can be harmful or irritating. Double-check the safety of the herbs that you are using.
One of the parts of the story that we like best is that each thief was responsible for adding his own ingredient so we stick to a four herb blend. Generally we use a blend of Rue, Rosemary, Sage and Garlic.
Place all of the herbs in a jar or bottle and cover with vinegar (if you can, use a nice quality vinegar, though plain white vinegar will do just fine).
Let the jar/bottle sit in a sunny spot for four days. Shake the bottle daily.
That’s it! It’s ready to use.
Though I almost always prefer to use fresh ingredients dried works very well for this. For the longest time I had a glass bottle that was solely used for my Four Thieves Vinegar. I simply shoved some dried herbs in the bottle, filled with vinegar and let it sit for the allotted time. After making the initial batch, when I would run a bit low I would simply top off the bottle with more vinegar.
I should add here that we don’t ingest/drink the vinegar. For me, the addition of rue is essential but it’s pretty bitter so I’m not sure how much I’d like it on my salad.
Using four thieves vinegar
CLEANSING
There are several way to use Four Thieves Vinegar but my favourite, by far, is for cleansing. I pour a generous amount into my rinse water when I am washing my floors. I wipe my counters and other surfaces with it. I find it is especially good for wiping down doorways and cleaning doorknobs. Lately I have taken to putting some in a mist bottle and spraying it in rooms that feel like they need a boost. Over the years this has become an indispensable magical tool in the Knickertwist home.
PERSONAL CLEANSING and PROTECTION
Another way to utilize Four Thieves Vinegar is for personal cleansing. By adding a little to your bath water, or applying directly to the skin, you can cleanse and protect yourself magically. Please keep in mind, if you decide to use the vinegar in this manner, to check the herbs that you have added to you blend. Some herbs can cause skin irritation or sensitivity to the sun.
OTHER METHODS
The above are the two ways in which I use Four Thieves Vinegar, other people have their own way of using the blend...
- taking a tablespoon to promote good health (please check your ingredients!)
- sprinkle on your enemy's doorstep to weaken them
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